I asked Kellen's parents to write something meaningful to Kellen for their sneak peek later. I had no idea each of them would completely break me down at my own computer.
I was literally blubbering.
Love is awesome, especially when it's obvious.
Kellen James,
For me 2010, was a great year. In September (September 25th to be exact – I wouldn’t want your mom to think I had already forgotten our anniversary date), I was able to marry my best friend, aka “Mommy” to you. Just when I thought the year couldn’t possibly get any better, I received the best Christmas present I have ever gotten. On the morning of December 24th, I woke up and looked over at your mom who was wide awake (you will get to know that this is a rarity, she loves her sleep). This is when she informed me that she was pregnant. “Wow, we are going to be parents…Oh crap! We don’t know how to be parents.” Never had I experienced excitement and fear in such magnitude simultaneously, it was truly awesome.
No way 2011 was going to beat that, then 20 weeks into the pregnancy, in March, we went in for an ultrasound. That is when we found out we were having a boy! I was thrilled. In my head, I was already taking you to pick out your first baseball glove and getting your prepared for you first tee ball game. I guess there are a lot of diapers to change before we get to that point...A LOT OF DIAPERS!
Hmmmmm, could 2011 get any better? I didn’t think so, but it did! On September 13 at 1:55 in the morning, your mom and I got to see your face for the first time, you were perfect, 10 fingers, 10 toes and the sweetest face. I didn’t know it was possible to love someone so much the very first time you meet them, until we got to meet you.
As excited as I am right now, and you are only a week old, I am 100 times more excited to watch you grow. I am looking forward to the memories that we will get to create as a family. I look forward to experiencing all of the firsts along with you, from your first smile all the way to your first game at Comerica Park (don’t worry, it is actually okay if you don’t play baseball, your first game at Comerica Park can be us just going there as a family to enjoy it from the stands).
I want you to know, that as much as we can count on you to bring a smile to our face and warm our hearts, you can count on us to always be here for you. We will love you and support you and do everything in our power to give you a wonderful life. We will help guide you along the way to help you become everything that you will want to be (I am sure Michigan State has a program for whatever it is you decide on :)). We love you Kellen.
Love,
Dad
Dear Kellen,
I knew you were going to be a bit stubborn like Daddy and always running late like me when your due date came and went...and two weeks later, you still hadn't shown up. You were scheduled to be induced on the evening of Monday, September 12th. We spent the weekend relaxing at home and made a big dinner on the 11th. Right after dinner, I was not feeling great and was hoping this was the start of your arrival. I woke up around 1AM the next morning, the 12th, and knew it was time. At 3AM, I woke Daddy up and said 'I think I'm in labor, but you should go back to sleep'. He laughs about that now because really, who could sleep after that news?! We were both so excited to know that we would meet you soon. We ate breakfast, finished packing our hospital bag and took a walk with Wrigley, your furry big brother. We headed to the hospital around 8AM and spent the next four days there getting to know you and learning how to be parents in the most basic sense of the word.
After a long day laboring at the hospital on the 12th, we decided you needed a little bit of help to come out and meet us. We were wheeled down to the OR and you celebrated your birth day at 1:55 AM on September 13th. I remember looking over at you being placed on the warming table and being shocked at how big you looked, and wondering how it was that you fit inside of me for so many weeks. Physically, I felt empty but I cannot remember a time where my heart was more full. Daddy and I looked at each other and I think we were both a little surprised, even at this point, that we had a baby that we had dreamed about and talked about for years. I cried when Daddy brought you over to me because you were perfect. Very perfect...I think it was those few extra weeks of baking :)
Ever since I saw the words 'Pregnant' on the test in December, I've wondered what you looked like. Nothing could have prepared me for seeing your face for the first time. Your face is a reflection of Daddy's and it melts my heart when I see him cuddle with you and comfort you. He is a baby whisperer and can put you to sleep in his arms every time. I love holding you and having you gaze into my eyes when I tell you that I love you. I always thought I would feel differently when you had arrived...perhaps more mature, or wiser...after all, I am a parent which is the biggest responsibility I have ever had. However, bringing you home and spending time together as a family has been the most natural thing in the world. I doubt I am any more mature or any wiser but I am confident you love me anyway. The past week that we have spent together has had highs and lows-but the lows are few and far between and the highs are the best of my life.
I promise you that I will also be your ally and protector. I will always love you, regardless of the path that you forge in life. My hope is that your Daddy and I will provide you with the strength, compassion, intelligence and humor to live a life that is rich with happiness. You are also blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who loved you before they met you. The world you came into can be a scary place, but your Daddy and I will help guide you through it every step of the way.
All of my love,
Mom
I knew you were going to be a bit stubborn like Daddy and always running late like me when your due date came and went...and two weeks later, you still hadn't shown up. You were scheduled to be induced on the evening of Monday, September 12th. We spent the weekend relaxing at home and made a big dinner on the 11th. Right after dinner, I was not feeling great and was hoping this was the start of your arrival. I woke up around 1AM the next morning, the 12th, and knew it was time. At 3AM, I woke Daddy up and said 'I think I'm in labor, but you should go back to sleep'. He laughs about that now because really, who could sleep after that news?! We were both so excited to know that we would meet you soon. We ate breakfast, finished packing our hospital bag and took a walk with Wrigley, your furry big brother. We headed to the hospital around 8AM and spent the next four days there getting to know you and learning how to be parents in the most basic sense of the word.
After a long day laboring at the hospital on the 12th, we decided you needed a little bit of help to come out and meet us. We were wheeled down to the OR and you celebrated your birth day at 1:55 AM on September 13th. I remember looking over at you being placed on the warming table and being shocked at how big you looked, and wondering how it was that you fit inside of me for so many weeks. Physically, I felt empty but I cannot remember a time where my heart was more full. Daddy and I looked at each other and I think we were both a little surprised, even at this point, that we had a baby that we had dreamed about and talked about for years. I cried when Daddy brought you over to me because you were perfect. Very perfect...I think it was those few extra weeks of baking :)
Ever since I saw the words 'Pregnant' on the test in December, I've wondered what you looked like. Nothing could have prepared me for seeing your face for the first time. Your face is a reflection of Daddy's and it melts my heart when I see him cuddle with you and comfort you. He is a baby whisperer and can put you to sleep in his arms every time. I love holding you and having you gaze into my eyes when I tell you that I love you. I always thought I would feel differently when you had arrived...perhaps more mature, or wiser...after all, I am a parent which is the biggest responsibility I have ever had. However, bringing you home and spending time together as a family has been the most natural thing in the world. I doubt I am any more mature or any wiser but I am confident you love me anyway. The past week that we have spent together has had highs and lows-but the lows are few and far between and the highs are the best of my life.
I promise you that I will also be your ally and protector. I will always love you, regardless of the path that you forge in life. My hope is that your Daddy and I will provide you with the strength, compassion, intelligence and humor to live a life that is rich with happiness. You are also blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who loved you before they met you. The world you came into can be a scary place, but your Daddy and I will help guide you through it every step of the way.
All of my love,
Mom
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